Contents of the Industrial Relations Code

The Industrial Relations Code, 2020

Section 28. Application of this Chapter

In force since 21 Nov 2025Chapter IV — Standing Orders

Go to the official text ↓

In simple words

  • The standing orders Chapter applies to every industrial establishment employing three hundred or more workers, now or on any day of the preceding twelve months s. 28(1).
  • It does not apply to workers governed by Government service rules such as the Fundamental and Supplementary Rules or the Civil Services rules s. 28(2). See the standing orders guide.

An explanation, not the law. The official text below prevails.

Official text

(1) The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to every industrial establishment wherein three hundred or more than three hundred workers, are employed, or were employed on any day of the preceding twelve months.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to an industrial establishment in so far as the workers employed therein are persons to whom the Fundamental and Supplementary Rules, Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, Revised Leave Rules, Civil Service Regulations, Civilians in Defence Service (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules or the Indian Railway Establishment Code or any other rules or regulations that may be notified in this behalf by the appropriate Government, apply.

Source: The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Act No. 35 of 2020 — Gazette of India, p. 17 of the PDF. Open our copy at p. 17 · official download · all sources

Explained simply in: Leaving a job guide · Standing orders guide

Compliance obligations under this provision

Commencement In force since 21 Nov 2025

Notification wording (1)
  • S.O. 5320(E), in force from 21 Nov 2025: “the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of November, 2025 as the date on which the provisions of the said Code, shall come into force”